Fun and Easy Potty Training Basket

Hey everybody! I'm super excited to be back today with the 5th post in our fun series with Pick up the Values, this fun and easy potty training basket! Of all the "firsts" and stages you have to go through as a parent, the first time potty training is a doozy (as is every time.. I imagine?) I stressed about it long before I did it, and read all about different approaches, but I still didn't really know what I was going to do. Luke works really well on the reward system, but I didn't want to feed him candy all day long, so I knew that was out. Then, I talked to my awesome SIL Alex who works with preschool age special needs kids, and she gave me tons of great ideas and advice! I am a gift giver, and I wanted to create a fun and exciting atmosphere for Luke as we started out, so the potty training basket was born! The great thing about it is, you will be buying most of these items anyway. For some reason throwing it all together in a basket and presenting it as a gift made even toilet paper exciting to a little three year old boy I know, haha! Okay, you ready for the details? So here is a list of what's in my basket and why:

-new fun undies

-pull ups: for naptime and and bedtime. Now, we use diapers because they are cheaper, but initially I think it is really important to "get rid" of diapers all together, at least for us.

-toilet paper

-Cottonelle flushable wipes: these things are amazing! Seriously.. best ever. I am all about a wipe you can flush, and these babies are the best of the best!

-Cottonelle flushable wipes portable size (for my purse when we are out!)

-Kleenex hand towels: these were great to have around for cleaning up accidents. For some reason cleaning up potty with our household rags just grossed me out. I wanted to be able to just clean up the mess and throw them away. These are awesome because they are SUPER heavy duty, just spray a little 409 and you are golden!

*Guys, if you have not signed up for Pick Up the Values yet, do it now! They have high value, can't be beat coupons for toilet paper, diapers, pull ups, wipes, flushable wipes, the Kleenex hand towels and so much more. I promise you will not regret it.*

-one big toy: for the #2 on the potty!

-stickers: potty rewards

-suckers: I used these for "special" potty rewards, like if we went on an outing and he stayed dry, when HE told ME he had to go, when he stayed dry a full day, etc.

-"warm fuzzy jar" and tons of warm fuzzies: so this was my brilliant SIL Alex's idea. Basically this was used as our main reward system. Each time Luke went potty in the toilet he got to pick a warm fuzzy and add it to the jar. When the jar was full, he got a prize (we used new play doh). The best part though, is every time he dropped a warm fuzzy in the jar I sang the "warm fuzzy" song which I totally just made up on the spot and danced around singing about potty and how great he was. I'm pretty sure this was his favorite reward of them all. He just beamed and felt so proud of himself and it was so easy and cheap to throw together!  I guess all that's left is to wish you all good luck! Because let's face it.. we all need it! Haha. xo, If you missed the first posts in our Pick Up the Values series be sure to check them out, you won't be disappointed! Find them here: 10 tips for stretching the family budget,  10 easy ways to save money on utilities, awesome basic budgeting free printables, and the awesome giveaway (over).